Hahn Wins Record 16th Big 12 Defensive POW Award

Courtesy: cyclones.com

Release: 10/28/2013

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AMES, Iowa – The star-studded career of Iowa State libero Kristen Hahn added its latest major accomplishment Monday when the Cyclone senior received her record 16th Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week award. Her fourth award of the campaign, Hahn passed the libero that preceded her at Iowa State, Ashley Mass, to become the most decorated Big 12 volleyball player in terms of weekly awards earned.

Hahn’s defense was crucial once again for the Cyclones in the past week. At No. 22 Kansas, it was Hahn who helped keep one of the Big 12’s most lethal attacks at bay as the senior recorded 35 digs to lead Iowa State to a five-set victory, and its first win over a ranked opponent in 2013. She also had one of the biggest moments of the match to close out the third set as she sent a service ace to the back corner of the court to lock up the set for ISU.

In Saturday’s match against TCU, Hahn was strong again with 16 digs, having to pick up the pace after a quiet first set with only two digs, she followed that up with six digs in the second set and eight in the third. However, it was her serving that grabbed the headlines as Hahn had a career-best four service aces to lead the Cyclones lethal serving group that put up 13 service aces on the day.

Hahn has re-written the Big 12 record book, and for years to come her name will populate the pages more than any other name. Last season, Hahn set the Big 12 record for most weekly awards earned in a season with eight. The 16 awards have also been won in a space of just three seasons of full play after she spent her freshman season as an apprentice to Mass.

The Big 12 weekly awards is not the only area where Hahn’s career and Mass’ career as Cyclones intertwine. Both are in the all-time top-10 in Big 12 history for career digs (Mass is first at 2,294, Hahn 10th at 1,688). Mass is the only three-time Big 12 Libero of the Year, but Hahn has a chance to join her this season, having earned the award in 2011 and 2012.

Early in the season, Hahn broke Mass’ school record for most consecutive matches with at least 10 digs. Mass’ previous record was 44 matches, Hahn’s currently sits at 58. Mass currently holds the school record for most career matches with at least 20 digs at 44, but Hahn is in hot pursuit with 42 matches of at least 20 digs. With her 35 digs at Kansas, Hahn took down Mass’ school record for most career 30-dig matches as Hahn had her eighth 30+ dig match of her career. Mass was a three-time All-American, and Hahn will be looking to join her there, too.

Iowa State has now won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week award 34 times. The next highest total for all-time Big 12 DPOW awards won belongs to Kansas with 11.

Hahn and the Cyclones host Texas Tech inside Hilton Coliseum Wednesday at 8 p.m. The match will be televised nationally on ESPNU.